Gandhimathi, elephant of Tirunelveli Nellaiappar temple passes away

Gandhimathi, the beloved female elephant at Sri Nellaiappar Temple, passes away after battling multiple ailments.

Gandhimathi, the 55-year-old female elephant at the famous Sri Nellaiappar Temple in Tirunelveli passed away on Sunday (January 12, 2025).

Thirty years ago, Gandhimathi was gifted to the temple in 1985 by the temple’s donors. 

An HR&CE official said that Gandhimathi was suffering from multiple ailments. The pachyderm had an ailment on the right side of its hind leg. Continuous treatment including physiotherapy was given over the past six months. For the last one month, the elephant struggled to sit and had sleep issues for several days. In this condition, Gandhimathi lied down to sleep on Saturday but could not get up again, he added. 

The temple administration immediately informed the veterinary team of doctors for examination on the spot. A crane was used to assist her to stand, but despite the efforts, Gandhimathi passed away at around 7 a.m.

As the news spread, devotees queued up to pay their last respects.

The temple administration has designated a land near the Thamarai Kulam parking area of the temple for its burial.